Work begins on gateway University building

Work on the New Teaching Block on the northern edge of the campus is underway and on target to meet its completion date of June 2007.

The £15.6 million facility between Old Hawkhill and Hunter Street is being built to provide tailored teaching accommodation for the Faculty of Education and Social Work and the School of Nursing and Midwifery as well as general teaching space for the University.

Designed by Edinburgh-based architects Campbell and Arnott, the new building will include a central three-storey drum in warm terracotta flanked by two white three and four storey blocks, a large atrium entrance and a sheltered courtyard area.

The design also incorporates the University name and logo in a prominent sign on the building to mark arrival on campus.

"It will be a gateway building for the University," said project manager John Tavendale of Estates and Buildings.

He added that once completed the New Teaching Block would provide two large lecture theatres catering for 350 and 200 students and two smaller lecture theatres capable of accommodating 120 students each.

The building will also offer a range of other accommodation including specially designed observation rooms for training nurses, music workshops, science rooms, computer labs, a drama studio and 25 general teaching rooms.

It will feature a state-of-the-art ice cooling system and aluminium anti-solar screening to reduce solar gain on large glazed areas.

User groups within the University have been playing a key role in the planning process for the building with regular workshops held to review and develop the detailed plans.

"We want to ensure the plans are tailored to their requirements," explained John who added that a strategy for meeting disability regulations is also being developed.

With work on the foundations already underway and structural steelwork due to begin in June the building is on track to be completed by June 2007.

"There will inevitably be some disruption and inconvenience but we hope that staff, students and visitors will bear with us," said John. "We are very grateful for their patience so far and we believe the end results will be worth it."

CLOSURE OF PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AT OLD HAWKHILL

The section of Old Hawkhill from Small's Wynd to Balfour Street has been closed to all pedestrians due to continued construction work on campus. Vehicular traffic still has access.

These measures will remain in place until summer 2007 and the completion of work on the new £15 million teaching block.

Alternative pedestrian routes through the campus are clearly signposted.